Sisters in Song - Celebrate! Directed by Frank Brownstead

Related Articles:
Sisters in Song: Praising and Fund-Raising

'Founded in 1994, the group was founded by Mr. Patrick Powers, choral director Frank Brownstead and Sister Sarah Michael King, CSJ, who became project director  for the first two albums. Together they launched Sisters in Song.

Over 300 sisters auditioned for the choir when it was first founded in 1994. The depth of talent made it difficult to narrow the group to sixty. The sisters featured on the first two recordings represent over thirty religious institutes and twenty states. More than 70,000 copies of their albums, Celebrate! and Christmas Spirit!, have been sold since 1994; and the numbers increase daily. In fact, the success of these two recordings prompted the recent release of a third recording, Rejoice!, directed by interna-tionally renowned composer, Christopher Walker. After another competitive round of auditions for the third album, the choir was increased to eighty voices. The choir for this recording includes sisters from 28 states and 58 communities. The nuns range in age from 35 to 78.

The project is a collaborative effort not just in terms of the sisters' participation, but also because of the many companies, organizations and religious communities that lend their support. In addition to receiving private grant funding, Sisters in Song has been aided by organizations including the Marriott Company, Mount St. Mary's College, the Serra Club and the Sisters of St. Joseph Health System in southern California. Through cash donations and in-kind gifts (such as meals and transportation), Sisters in Song have been able to adhere to a strict budget, thus maximizing proceeds. Additionally, Oregon Catholic Press and World Library Publications have made significant contributions to the production of the recordings, and both companies donate their share of the profits to the retirement funds for religious. Finally, numerous composers have allowed their compositions to be used without receiving royalties.

Project coordinators are encouraged by the great success the newest album has enjoyed. Oregon Catholic Press reports that November and December 2000 sales for this recording exceeded those of any other album release the company has ever distributed. The response has been so over-whelming, in fact, that plans are already being made for a fourth recording which is scheduled to be released in 2002.

The success of all three recordings is definitely well-deserved. As Sister Theresa LaMetterey, CSJ, project director for the latest recording notes, "The music is beautiful and the cause is compelling." With Easter approaching, and interest in the project greater than ever, Sisters in Song definitely have reason to Rejoice!'
— Sisters in Song: Praising & Fundraising - National Religious Retirement Office Newsletter, Winter 2001